Co-op introduces world's first Fairtrade BBQ

Martin writes: Summer's on its way and it looks like we may have some lovely weather this Bank Holiday weekend. Thoughts inevitably turn to barbecues, maybe the first of the year.

So it's great news that the Co-operative has teamed up with the charity Traidcraft to develop the world's first Fairtrade disposable barbecue. The charcoal comes from Namibia and is produced from bushes and trees like acacia trees which grows like a weed over farmland. So by removing these trees, the land is returned to productive agricultural use and also generates an income for the farmers.

The fairly traded charcoal will benefit around 1,000 producers and will mean they receive a guaranteed contract, payment of around three times the minimum wage and free equipment such as charcoal kilns. Also, Traidcraft will be helping them to start new community projects funded by the fair trade premium which will come from the sales of the charcoal products.

The product range consists of:

Fairly-traded Instant Barbecue with Stand £1.99 (3 for £5)
Fairly-traded Party Size Instant Barbecue with Stand £4.99
Fairly-traded Instant Lighting Charcoal 3kg £3.99

Get yours at selected Co-operative stores.

Regional Hustings for National Board Directors

Timothy writes: Being a complicated Co-operative, the Co-operative Group has tiered democracy. Every member elects area committee representatives. Area Committees elect regional boards. Area Committees elect regional board members to the national board. The national board then has two parts, the first from the above mechanism and the second from independent co-operative societies who are 'corporate' members of the Co-operative Group (from its days as the Wholesale Society).

So on Saturday almost all area committee members from across the South East came together to hear each of the candidates put their case forward for why they should be elected to the National board on behalf of the South East membership.

This morning I completed my voting paper and posted it off to the Electoral Reform Society LTD to count the votes up.

Results will be posted as soon as known.

South East AGM

The South East AGM of The Co-operative Group will take place on Saturday 9th May

9.45am - 4.15pm at Fairfield Halls, Croydon, CR9 1DG

Register and get more details or participate ONLINE and watch the web cast of the meeting

Look out for area committee members - we will all have name badges on!